Las Vegas Raiders: 15 best linebackers of all-time
28. . LB. (1965-72). Gus Otto. 9. player
Best linebackers in Las Vegas Raiders history: 9. Gus Otto
An Otto not named Jim? That’s right, and there is no relation between these two Raider greats. Gus Otto played linebacker for the Raiders from 1965 to 1972, appearing in 102 games for the Oakland AFL team. Yep, that’s right, Otto played for the Raiders prior to their merger into the NFL in 1970. Actually, Otto’s best years came in the AFL days.
His rookie season was arguably his best. During that 1965 campaign, Otto played and started all 14 games. In those games, Otto recorded three interceptions, taking two of them to the house.
He paid dividends early and often in his career, turning out to be quite the diamond in the rough, as the Raiders selected him in the fourth-round of the 1965 AFL Draft.
Otto earned All-Pro honors in four seasons (1967-70) and helped the Raiders win the AFL Championship in 1967. That is quite a résumé, especially given that it came during a time where football was a much different game, very centered around talented defenses.
Perhaps the lesser known Otto, Gus was a solid football player in his own right. His instincts helped him succeed at both the college and professional level, and his name should be recognized as one of the franchise’s best.